Nikon D700 High ISO Performance: I have the opportunity to purchase a D700 in E+ condition for a reasonable price as a backup to my D300s and D800. I love both, but I find that neither...

Edmund Dworakowski

I have the opportunity to purchase a D700 in E+ condition for a reasonable price as a backup to my D300s and D800. I love both, but I find that neither is very good at High ISO shooting. I understand that the D700 is supposed to have exceptional High ISO capabilities, but of course how good is good ? I'm wondering if the D700 is really that much better than my current bodies, or is it as good as Say a more modern D7100 ? I have a feeling that Nikon will eventually release a 750 and/or 810 model with the new 5th generation Processor and noise reduction algorism, but when and at what cost ?
I feel that for now, my D800 satisfies my principal interest in landscapes, but I'd really like something with GREAT ISO performance NOW, and without breaking the bank. I've upgraded my old glass with Nikon's Holy Triniy, so I'd like to stick with FX, but that new D500 sure looks tempting...but not if I could satisfy my need with an FX that' $1300 cheaper !

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Edmund Dworakowski wrote:

I have the opportunity to purchase a D700 in E+ co... (show quote)

I can vouch for the high ISO capabilities of the D700. I've had one for almost 5 years. The few high ISO photos I've taken were quite something.
--Bob

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

For one thing, if you purchased a D700, your D300 would get dusty waiting its turn to be used. The D700 is basically a D3 in a lighter weight body. My wife shoots the D800. but envies my D700 when we have to shooting in low light. She claims the main advantage of her D800 over the D700 is that she can crop the sh*t out of her D800 shots. I got mine when they first came out and have never had a problem with it. I also shoot the D810 and depending on what I am doing, I sometimes have a hard time choosing which one to take out for the day. Oh, and no I'm not willing to sell mine and yes my wife would divorce me if I did.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Edmund Dworakowski wrote:

I have the opportunity to purchase a D700 in E+ co... (show quote)

I have an 800E and a Df, but I will not let go of my first full frame, the 700. It is a great camera. You will not regret buying it.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Edmund Dworakowski wrote:

I have the opportunity to purchase a D700 in E+ co... (show quote)

The D700 was great for its time but it does measure up to the D800.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

Sorry I ever sold my D700, great camera for low light, I know several band/concert photogs and they swear by them.

jkoar Loc: The Gunks, NY

The D700 is a 12MP sweet spot. The high ISO performance is great although the D500 and D5 may blow the whole thing out of the water. In any event the D700 will not disappoint.

JPL

Edmund Dworakowski wrote:

I have the opportunity to purchase a D700 in E+ co... (show quote)

My friend who has both the D700 and D800E says the D800 is better for low light, so I guess you will not be any better off than with the D800 you already have. If you compare pixel by pixel the D700 is slightly better in low light but if you downsize the D800 image to the same size as the D700 image, the D800 image will look better. That is something many people forget to take into account but is important to get fair comparison between those bodies.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Edmund Dworakowski wrote:

I have the opportunity to purchase a D700 in E+ co... (show quote)

It's not as good as a D3S or D800, but better than a D7100. It is equivalent to the D3.

When considering high mp cameras and their high ISO performance, it should be done apples to apples. Taking a 36 mp image and comparing it at 100% image magnification to an image taken on a D700 at 100% at first seems like apples to apples, but the real comparison is a 36mp image downsampled to 12 mp. Then you will see how much better the D800 is at high ISO than the D700.

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

I much prefer my D700 to my D7100 when the need for higher ISO arises. I recently added the D750, which also outperforms the 7100.

$1300 cheaper than the D500 would put the price on the 700 in question at about $700? Sounds like a great price. Not to mention the wait for the 500.

Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL

Leon S wrote:

For one thing, if you purchased a D700, your D300 ... (show quote)

I have been at the verge of upgrading my trusty D700 to the new D750 or even the D810, but every time I read the comments from the UHH members about the benefits of the D700, I keep changing my mind. Decisions, decisions... Thanks for your opinions.

ssymeono Loc: St. Louis, Missouri

The favorable remarks on the D700 bring up the other interesting point that a camera released in 2008 remains current in 2016. It means that digital cameras came of age at least as early as 2008 and it became possible to create classic ones much the same way as in the age of film. I have enjoyed the D700 since 2008 and have been impressed by its low light capabilities from the very beginning. I still use it as often as the D800 so that don't need to worry about making space for the latter's big files.

ssymeono Loc: St. Louis, Missouri

The favorable remarks on the D700 bring up the other interesting point that a camera released in 2008 remains current in 2016. It means that digital cameras came of age at least as early as 2008 and it became possible to create classic ones much the same way as in the age of film. I have enjoyed the D700 since 2008 and have been impressed by its low light capabilities from the very beginning. I still use it as often as the D800 so that don't need to worry about making space for the latter's big files.

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

Julian wrote:

I have been at the verge of upgrading my trusty D700 to the new D750 or even the D810, but every time I read the comments from the UHH members about the benefits of the D700, I keep changing my mind. Decisions, decisions... Thanks for your opinions.

In spite of the fact that my 700 is almost 8 years old, my next likely upgrade will be to sell/trade my 7100 (and a lens or 2) for either another 750 or (assuming actual reviews live up to the hype) a D500.

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

Julian wrote:

I have been at the verge of upgrading my trusty D700 to the new D750 or even the D810, but every time I read the comments from the UHH members about the benefits of the D700, I keep changing my mind. Decisions, decisions... Thanks for your opinions.

The D810, D800, take great pictures and at times they seem to be noticeably better than ones from the D700. I assume the same can be said for the D750. The thing to remember is that the D700 and its 12 mp sensor is no slough either. I once saw a sign at a car repair place that summed it up. It said, " horse power costs money, how much do you want to spend." The same can be said for cameras and lenses.